“Good day at school?” he asked, joining me in the hall as I placed my keys on the table and dropped my bag.
“Same as usual. I enjoyed my yoga session, though,” I responded, turning to face him.
Reed was the only one who never showed any reaction to my moods. He rose above it. No matter how many times I had attempted to rile him. He was the most level-headed brother, where I was concerned, anyway, not so much with the boys and Storm.
I knew that he was the main reason Storm was playing nice. She wanted to get into my foster brother's pants, probably already had. And as if reading my mind, Reed questioned.
“Wasn’t that Storm’s car?”
I folded my arms and tilted my head. “Yep. She dropped me home. How sweet is that?” I said with a sugary smile. Knowing she had an ulterior motive, and that he was standing right in front of me.
“I thought you guys didn’t get on?”
“I thought so too. It appears she’s now my new best friend. She invited me to the party this weekend.”
“Are you going?”
“Yeah, are you?”
“Maybe,” he replied, clearing his throat.
The need to poke at him flared through me. “I’m looking forward to meeting that Jacob dude. He sounds tasty.”
His face darkened. “Who?”
“Jacob. He’s their new driver. Ex-Marine. Storm wouldn’t stop talking about him.”
“Really?” I could see he didn’t believe me.
“Yes. I reckon he does more than just drive the car,” I needled with a saucy look.
“I doubt it. I know what you’re doing, Baby Sawyer, but I think webothknow Storm would never fuck the hired help. She thinks way too much of herself.”
“Yet you think she’d be seriously interested in a foster boy from the wrong side of the tracks?”
A pained expression flashed across his face; it was fast, but I saw it.
And then I felt like shit.
I wished I could snatch the words back as soon as my comment hit home. “Reed, I’m sorry. That was out of order.”
“Maybe you should concentrate on getting your own shit together before focusing on other people’s. And besides, who gives a shit about serious? I don’t believe in happy ever afters anyway.” I was a bitch, no, worse than that. Reed’s face was now impassive, but I knew I had hit a nerve.
“I didn’t mean it, Reed. Please forgive me.”
“Well, at least that’s a step in the right direction,” Reed replied with a twist to his lips.
“What do you mean?” I was confused.
“You, saying sorry for something.”
He then rubbed his face with the towel around his neck. “Anyway. Watch yourself where that one's concerned,” he warned, talking about Storm. It was unnecessary.
I gave him a curt nod. “You too,” I said, my sarcasm having shrivelled up on the spot.
Reed had always been the hardest to understand, being a master of control. Anyone else would have told me to piss off or given me the finger, but as cool as ice, Reed just turned and walked away.
You nasty little bitch, Harper!I scolded myself.
